Sarkozy dealt blow in first round of local elections

French voters have sent a warning to President Nicolas Sarkozy and his conservative government, favouring left-wingers in the first round of local elections that were seen as a test for his presidency and his reform agenda.

Pollsters’ projections showed the Socialists and their allies in the lead in key cities from the first round – but overall, the left’s lead was slim and the decisive run-offs a week away remained an open battleground.